Wild Ride for Wilderness Near End?

    On Thursday, September 27, Vermont’s Congressional Delegation and Governor Douglas negotiated a compromise on a new wilderness bill for Vermont. The wilderness bill had been stuck in the House of Representatives in Washington after Governor Douglas wrote a letter to Republican leadership opposing the bill. Strong public outcry over the letter and the ensuing result — stalling the bill— brought the Governor to the negotiating table.

    The Governor accepted the compromise; a deal that, in fact, was offered to him but rejected several weeks ago. The compromise removes 6,100 acres from the northern section of the rugged Glastenbury region of the Green Mountain National Forest from the bill. The exclusion of this magnificent part of the forest is disappointing.

    The wilderness bill for Vermont will now be reduced to 41,000 acres. VNRC believes the original New England Wilderness Bill calling for 47,000 acres was in fact a compromise. The original Vermont Wilderness Association proposal, which VNRC supported, called for approximately 78,000 acres.

    The Governor’s compromise is a testament to the overwhelming public support for more wilderness in Vermont. In the multi-year public planning process for the Green Mountain National Forest, nearly 90 percent of comments called for more wilderness. The Governor heard loud and clear — then and now — that Vermonters believe that wilderness is part of a balanced approach to managing our national forest. Holding the wilderness bill hostage was not a viable option.

    It is unfortunate but not surprising that so much acrimony has resulted in the last week from the Governor’s intervention. Pitting wilderness versus a rural, working landscape is a false debate. There is opportunity and clear support for balancing the interests on the Green Mountain National Forest. A healthy mix of uses in the forest, including those that support a viable forest products industry and diverse habitat management are essential. VNRC will work to continue to strike that balance by advocating for  policies — including a strong wilderness bill — to achieve it.

    Wilderness provides an enduring legacy for all Vermonters, and VNRC is thankful to the delegation for working hard to secure it. As Congress prepares to recess for election break tomorrow, it’s hopeful that a bill will pass and a Vermont wilderness legacy will be secured. If a bill doesn’t pass by tomorrow, however, VNRC hopes that legislation will be taken up and passed during the lame duck session. Passing a wilderness bill will leave the appropriate legacy for our esteemed Senator Jeffords, who has been a relentless voice for conservation in Vermont and the nation.